ABSTRACT
Comparing African armies with their counterparts in developed states is usually dismissed as futile, as even the most significant African armed forces are assumed to be so small, poorly equipped, and poorly trained as to appear inconsequential. Territorial integrity commonly refers to the prevention of such activities, whether they are accidental or intentional. It is a measure of the growth of African military capabilities that such incidents, and the conflicts that they cause, are increasing. Internal economic crises are most often seen as the principal immediate and long-term threats to African state survival and territorial integrity. By juxtaposing national interests and events in Africa since independence, it is possible to provide an analytical foundation for understanding the evolving role and structure of African armies. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
